PHOTO GALLERY: Five friends meet year-round to golf together

COLUMBIA — Devoted to the game, five golfers meet at Lake of the Woods Golf Course year-round. They play together three times a week as long as weather permits. On Thursday, they were able to make it to the course.

Realtor Jerry Stone, 64, yells "fore" after "hooking" a shot Thursday at Lake of the Woods Golf Course. The Three Dollar Golf Club plays tournaments that range from 15 to 50 golfers, depending on the weather.¦Grant Hindsley

Lake of the Woods' Three Dollar Golf Club plays year-round, as long as weather permits. To keep warm during the winter months, many golfers install propane-powered heaters on their personal golf carts.¦Grant Hindsley

Realtor Jerry Stone, 64, fist bumps Skip Wills, 67, after sinking a long putt Thursday at Lake of the Woods Golf Course. After making several well-played shots, Stone claimed he "must be sick."¦Grant Hindsley

Donald "Joker" Kitner, 71, lines up a putt Thursday at Lake of the Woods Golf Course. Kitner's hip was aching during the end of the front nine and ended up sitting out after the ninth.¦Grant Hindsley

Retired salesman Skip Wills, 67, grimaces while watching Donald "Joker" Kitner's attempt at hitting the green Thursday at Lake of the Woods Golf Course. The group played a game of "Scramble," where they all hit, and then play from the best ball.¦Grant Hindsley

Retirees Jerry Stone, 64, Gerry Schultz, 58, Skip Wills, 67, and Donald "Joker" Kitner, 71, walk onto the fifth hole Thursday at Lake of the Woods Golf Course. Stone, Schultz, Wills and Kitner play the course three times a week year-round, dependent on the weather, as part of the Lake of the Woods Three Dollar Golf Club.¦Grant Hindsley